HONOLULU — Kealakehe started its season out on the right foot, holding off Pearl City 13-7 on Saturday night in its non-league season opener on Oahu.
The Waveriders controlled the game until late in the fourth quarter, when the Chargers found life with a touchdown and interception. However, the sturdy Kealakehe defense rose to the occasion, stymieing Pearl City’s rally.
Sheynen Nahale tossed a pair of touchdowns and competed his passes at a high clip. The sophomore quarterback went 14 of 21 for 95 yards in his debut in Waverider blue. Nahale started as a freshman for Konawaena last season.
The Waveriders got on the board in the second quarter when Nahale found Hunter Wehrsig on a 28-yard TD pass.
The second score featured some nice yards after the catch by Makana Wagner. After snagging a pass from Nahale over the middle, the senior pass-catcher spun off a defender and broke a pair of tackles before scampering into the end zone.
Pearl City made it a game late when Alii Gaspar found paydirt on a 15-yard pass from quarterback Adam Puchert. Gaspar caught a short swing out of the backfield, beating the Kealakehe defenders to the sideline and then juking his way into the end zone.
After a late interception, the Kealakehe defense forced a turnover on downs, effectively ending the game.
Dillanger Ynigues recorded an interception for the Waveriders and Noble Teutau had a sack.
Pearl City missed a pair of field goals.
Kealakehe does not have another preseason contest on the schedule, although head coach Wyatt Nahale said the team was trying to find a game before its league-opener on Aug. 17 against Konawaena.
The Wildcats’ only non-league game comes the week after they open the BIIF season, hosting California powerhouse Mission Viejo in Kealakekua.
In other BIIF action, Kohala lost to Kalani 35-0
Kealakehe 0 6 7 0 — 13
Pearl City 0 0 0 7 — 7
Kealakehe – H. Wehrsig, 28 yard pass from S. Nahale. (kick failed)
Kealakehe – M. Wagner, 28 yard pass from S. Nahale. (L. Acia kick )
Pearl City – A. Gaspar, 15 yard pass from A. Puchert. (L. Chang kick )
Passing — Kealakehe: Sheynen Nahale 14-21-1-95, . Pearl City: Adam Puchert 10-24-1-136, Joshua Gleason 0-1-0-0,
Rushing — Kealakehe: Elijah Kahele 12-19, Raymond Skillern 8-7, Sheynen-Wyatt Nahale 6-6, Isaiah Mansanas 2-(-1), Team 2-(-2), . Pearl City: Raiden Pabo 4-16, Alii Gaspar 12-15, Team 2-(-9), Adam Puchert 5-(-15),
Receiving – Kealakehe: Devin Wagner 4-41, Hunter Wehrsig 2-34, Elijah Kahele 4-17, Isaiah Mansanas 2-3, Raymond Skillern 1-0, Malachi Lehmann 1-0, . Pearl City: Isaiah Cruz-Amerperosa 2-42, Joshua Gleason 2-39, Alii Gaspar 2-35, Juan Vargas 3-17, Preston Hong 1-3,